Unchanged team named for title tilt

Jake White has named an unchanged team for this Saturday’s Super Rugby Final against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium.

It’s the third week straight White has named the same 22 and the first time that’s happened since he took over the coaching reigns, two and a half years ago. The Final will be George Smith’s last appearance for the University of Canberra Brumbies, where he will set a club record of 142 games.

The University of Canberra Brumbies have qualified for their first Super Rugby final in nine years, their last appearance being against the Crusaders in 2004.

White said the Chiefs were a good side which deserved a lot of respect.

“They are the Champions, they have been here before and are playing at home so for our guys to beat the Chiefs will take a huge effort,” White said.

“Our players have worked hard to get to this Final and I can assure you they are not thinking of leaving here without another Brumbies championship.

“At this stage of the season it’s nice to be making consistent selections and keeping the same team together. I’m pleased with how the season has unfolded so far but we have one more challenge to overcome before we can be completely satisfied.”

It’s the University of Canberra Brumbies sixth Final appearance, with Smith equalling George Gregan and Stephen Larkham’s record of five championship matches.

Head to head - Chiefs

• 18 games since 1996 with Saturday’s Super Rugby Final the 19th.

• University of Canberra Brumbies [against the Chiefs] 11 wins, six losses and one draw

• Brumbies have won three of the last five games played in Hamilton

• Last time either the Chiefs or Brumbies won away from home was 2008 at Canberra Stadium, Chiefs 42-28

• The only other post-season match between the Brumbies and Chiefs was at Canberra Stadium in 2004, semi-final the Brumbies won 32-17

• Last time the Brumbies faced the Chiefs was March 16, 2012 at Hamilton. The Chiefs scored a last minute try to secure a 29-22 victory

• In 2013 the Chiefs have six players in the All Blacks squad compared to the Brumbies 12 in the Wallabies squad. [New Zealand squad is eight men shorter than that of Australia’s with 32 players]